The Pittsburgh Steelers are expecting a decision before the 2026 NFL Draft regarding quarterback Aaron Rodgers. The 42-year-old quarterback joined the Steelers for the 2025 season and led them to a 10–7 record. Rodgers also helped Mike Tomlin cap off his tenure in Pittsburgh as an AFC North champion. Tomlin stepped away after the 2025 season, and at that point many assumed Rodgers was truly done. Rodgers had indicated he would likely retire after 2025, but as the season progressed, his enthusiasm appeared to return, leading many to believe there was a chance he could return for the 2026 season.
Smiley N. Pool / Dallas Morning News
Former Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers hugs his old head coach Mike McCarthy after their team won a big professional football contest.
Then the Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, Rodgers’ former head coach and the man who led a team that defeated the Steelers in the Super Bowl. Because of that connection, along with the growing rapport Rodgers has built within the organization, it seems Omar Khan and McCarthy believe Rodgers will be their quarterback for the 2026 season. Whether that ultimately proves true remains to be seen and will not be confirmed until Rodgers officially announces his decision. Steelers fans, however, expect a resolution before April 23, when the draft kicks off in the Steel City.
Early in the 2026 offseason, rumblings about the quarterback position and the upcoming draft began to surface, but many assumed the Steelers would take a more certain, high-value swing early in the process. However, they may do something more similar to when they selected Will Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 draft. Pittsburgh may again be positioning itself to target a low-risk, high-reward option later in the draft. The Steelers appear to have strong interest in North Dakota State dual-threat quarterback prospect Cole Payton.
"Cole Payton is the most underrated prospect in the entire draft," McShay said via ESPN Radio on Monday. "I think he's a Day 2 pick and he's going to surprise some people coming out of North Dakota State."
That interest is reflected in their decision to host him for a pre-draft top-30 visit and sent Tom Arth to his Pro Day. Pittsburgh showed interest in Payton even when he was being discussed as a potential undrafted free agent, but following Todd McShay’s latest comments, his draft stock could rise even further.
Kirby Lee / Imagn Images
Former North Dakota State University quarterback Cole Payton during the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine.
The Steelers may now miss out on the value of Payton, as recent comments are likely to draw even more attention to him. He is known for having limited starting experience, and some projections view him more as a Taysom Hill-type player than a true quarterback at the next level. He has also drawn comparisons to Tim Tebow, which, while Tebow is widely respected as a person, is not typically what teams want to hear from a scouting standpoint when evaluating a quarterback.
Steelers' Best Kept Draft Secret Is Starting To Gain Steam
The good news for Pittsburgh is that McCarthy is a creative coach who has been known for developing quarterbacks. Adding Payton to a room that already includes Howard, likely Rodgers, and Mason Rudolph could be fruitful. The Steelers know what they have in Rudolph, so they may be more inclined to move on from him and take a later Day 2 or Day 3 risk on Payton.
Jacob Musselman / Imagn Images
Former NDSU quarterback Cole Payton speaks in front of the media during the NFL's Scouting Combine.
However, if Payton continues to rise, it seems likely Pittsburgh’s level of interest could change. Ultimately, no one truly knows what Khan and McCarthy have planned for the 2026 NFL Draft. However, the excitement surrounding Payton is growing fast.
Please feel free to share your Steelers takes and thoughts with me on X (@anthonyghalkias) and consider following for more Steelers-related content and discussion. I read and respond.
#SteelerNation